The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), a nonprofit organization comprised of golf course designers, is honoring nine golf courses and their designers through the Design Excellence Recognition Program.

The American Society of Golf Course Architects recently honored projects from nine golf courses across the U.S. in the fourth annual Design Excellence Recognition Program.

Created in 2012, the recognition program displays the innovation and problem-solving skills needed for golf course designs, from bunker renovations to full-scale course layouts.

"I offer my heartiest congratulations to these tremendous golf facilities, as well as the architects who provided their talent and expertise along the way," said ASGCA President Steve Smyers. "The Design Excellence Recognition Program continues to grow each year. And this year, the projects highlighted show the positive impact a well-designed facility continues to have for golfers and an entire community."

Congratulations to the honorees!

Atlantic Beach Country Club, Atlantic Beach, Fla. - Erik Larsen, ASGCA
The Selva Marina Country Club had a golf course in terrible condition, and clubhouse and pro shops in disrepair. The land was bought and redeveloped with a master plan, placing 178 single-family lots on 55 acres in the center of the former golf course, renamed Atlantic Beach Country Club. A new, smaller course was structured around the residences. New golf practice facilities with full range, chipping and putting greens, cart barn, and fitness center were added.

Birnam Wood Golf Club, Santa Barbara, Calif. - Dr. Michael Hurdzan, ASGCA Fellow
The California drought critically reduced water allocation for Birnam Wood. Course management sought sustainable solutions for this ongoing concern. They used "Precision Turf Management" to pinpoint flexible and sustainable areas for water conservation. The team tested grasses to ensure they would perform well in local soil, climate, water quality and limited resources. Turfgrass and water usage were reduced by 33 percent.

Glenview Park Golf Club, Glenview, Ill. - Rick Jacobson, ASGCA
Significant flooding in Glenview led to a master plan that utilizes the club as a flood mitigation resource. Collaborative efforts wove a stormwater management system into non-play areas, mitigating future flood potential by supplying 5,000,000 gallons of stormwater detention while reducing the discharge release rate for a 100-year storm by over 70 percent.

Griffith Park Golf Course, Los Angeles - Forrest Richardson, ASGCA
To prepare for the 2015 Special Olympic World Games and future restoration, a master plan was created for the classic-era 36-hole municipal facility. This involved constructing five and a half miles of paths, rebuilding 74 tees, and creating 33 new tees to meet ADA guidelines.

Independence Golf Club, Midlothian, Va. - Lester George, ASGCA
A redesign was necessary due to pace of play challenges, difficult course playability for the average golfer, and water supply concerns. The solution included removing more than 600 trees and bushes; establishing mulched secondary rough areas; decreasing turf maintenance areas; rerouting cart paths and traffic patterns; eliminating, relocating and reconstructing bunkers; creating space for entertainment venues; and drilling wells for greater efficiency and sustainability.

The Lochmoor Club, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. - Paul Albanese, ASGCA
Renovating the course originally designed nearly a century ago by Walter Travis restored its integrity while maintaining playability. The practice range and short game area were enhanced. A "hybrid" design solution melded concepts from the "Golden Age" of designers with the needs, expectations and desires of today's golfer.

Oaks Country Club, Tulsa, Okla. - Bill Bergin, ASGCA
This 1921 A. W. Tillinghast-designed course was renovated to its original design thanks to studying old aerial photographs, base contours of the original greens, and bunkers at Tillinghast courses. In addition to rebuilt greens and bunkers, tee boxes are now spaced out: the course length from the back tees increased by 300 yards, and decreased for forward tees by 500 yards. A six-hole Pitch & Putt and short game practice area were added.

The Preserve at Boulder Hills, Wyoming, R.I. - Robert McNeil, ASGCA
A 60-acre, 18-hole, par 3 championship course was designed and built on a course that had been closed and fallow for six years. All construction was generated from materials on site, including 18 new green and tee complexes, 32 bunkers, and all shaping. Trees were removed and cart paths developed. Several green and tee locations were used from the plans of original designer Tripp Davis, ASGCA.

Rockwind Community Links, Hobbs, N.M. - Andy Staples, ASGCA
Through "Community Links" design philosophy, a deteriorating course was turned into an asset. Attractions include trails, picnic areas, revitalized beginner golf programs, a new First Tee facility and more. A new 9-hole par 3 course for children was added and the practice facility expanded. The new 27-hole facility promotes the efficient use of water and the values of golf, and reduces annual maintenance costs.

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